敕 (chì) - Imperial decree or edict & to command or order (especially by an emperor).

敕Tone 4

chì ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

敕 · chì

Imperial decree or edict;

to command or order (especially by an emperor).

Imperial decree or edictto command or order (especially by an emperor).

Usage highlights

Imperial edictImperial decreeImperial commandHandwritten edictTo issue an edictTo receive an edict

Synonyms

  • 诏— imperial decree (similar formal command)
  • 旨— imperial order (slightly less formal)
  • 令— command, order (general term)

Antonyms

  • 违— to disobey, violate
  • 抗— to resist, defy

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The emperor issued an imperial edict (敕令).
  • This is an imperial decree (敕书).
  • He received a command to pacify the region (敕命).
  • The edict was written in the emperor's own hand (手敕).

Collocations

  • Imperial edict(敕令)
  • Imperial decree(敕书)
  • Imperial command(敕命)
  • Handwritten edict(手敕)
  • To issue an edict(下敕)
  • To receive an edict(受敕)

Idioms

  • To issue an imperial edict to seek talents(敕令求贤)
  • Imperial edicts and official documents(敕牒文书)
  • To act upon receiving an imperial command(奉敕而行)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically used exclusively for commands from the emperor in imperial China.
  • Reflects the absolute authority of the monarch in traditional Chinese political culture.
  • Often associated with formal, solemn occasions of state importance.

FAQ